conduct
B2 (Upper Intermediate)Formal (in verb and noun meanings related to behavior and management). Technical (in physics/engineering meaning).
Definition
Meaning
To organize, carry out, or direct an activity, process, or investigation; also, to lead or guide someone.
1) The manner in which a person behaves. 2) The management, guidance, or direction of an organization, operation, or event. 3) The transmission of heat, electricity, or sound through a medium.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb and noun forms are pronounced with different stress patterns (verb: conDUCT, noun: CONduct), marking a typical noun-verb stress shift. The meaning splits into three distinct semantic fields: 1) Behavior, 2) Management/Execution, 3) Physical Transmission.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the meaning of 'behavior,' 'conduct' is used identically. In the context of musical performance, UK English often uses 'conductor' for the person, but both use 'conduct' for the action. No major lexical differences.
Connotations
The term has formal and official connotations in both dialects when referring to behavior (e.g., 'code of conduct').
Frequency
Slightly more common in formal and academic contexts in both varieties. The physics/engineering meaning is specialized and equally used.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
conduct + [activity] (transitive)conduct + [oneself] + adverb/prep phrase (reflexive)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “conduct oneself with dignity”
- “a code of conduct”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The company will conduct a review of its financial procedures.
Academic
The study will conduct a meta-analysis of the existing literature.
Everyday
The headteacher praised the students for their good conduct on the trip.
Technical
Copper conducts electricity more efficiently than iron.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The committee will conduct a formal enquiry into the matter.
- She conducted the tour of the museum with great expertise.
- Metals conduct heat.
American English
- The FBI will conduct an investigation.
- He conducted the interview in a professional manner.
- Water conducts sound very well.
adverb
British English
- N/A (The related adverb is 'conductively').
American English
- N/A (The related adverb is 'conductively').
adjective
British English
- N/A (No direct adjective form. Use 'conductive').
American English
- N/A (No direct adjective form. Use 'conductive').
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The teacher said my conduct in class was very good.
- Copper can conduct electricity.
- The police officer will conduct an investigation.
- His conduct during the meeting was very professional.
- The university is conducting important research into climate change.
- All employees must adhere to a strict code of conduct.
- The barrister was reprimanded for unprofessional conduct.
- The study was conducted using a double-blind, peer-reviewed methodology.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CONductor leading an orchestra (verb) and a soldier's good CONduct (noun).
Conceptual Metaphor
GUIDANCE IS CONDUCTING (leading an orchestra, conducting business). BEHAVIOR IS A PATH (conduct oneself properly).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с существительным 'кондуит' (устар.).
- В значении 'поведение' — более формальное слово, чем 'behavior'. Не 'вести' (как действие), а 'манера вести себя'.
- В значении 'проводить (исследование)' — это не 'сопровождать', а 'осуществлять'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect stress: pronouncing the noun as 'conDUCT'.
- Using the verb without an object: *'They will conduct tomorrow.' (Needs: '...conduct a meeting tomorrow.')
- Confusing 'conduct' (n.) with 'behavior' in very informal contexts.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'conduct' in the sense of 'behavior'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when referring to behavior or management of activities, it is quite formal. In scientific contexts (conduct heat), it is standard technical language.
'Conduct' implies a more formal, judged, or principled aspect of behavior, often in an official or professional context (e.g., professional conduct). 'Behavior' is a more general, neutral term.
It's a common stress pattern in English for disyllabic words of Latin origin: stress on the second syllable for the verb (conDUCT) and on the first for the noun (CONduct). Similar to 'record', 'permit', 'conflict'.
Not directly. The adjective form related to the physics meaning is 'conductive' (as in 'conductive material'). For behavior, you would use phrases like 'well-conducted' (for an event) or behavioral adjectives.